Past Times: The changing face of Hinckley

Burbage historian Michael Roberts looks at how the town has evolved over the years

Thomas and Anne Lord (born 1820) in Fruiterers shop door way. Thomas Alfred Lord (born 1856) on shoulders of eldest son John (born 1856). Lord Fruiterers shop on 64 Castle Street in Hinckleyin around 1870

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In Hinckley much has changed over the past 50 or 60 years, probably this time span applies to many towns and cities. I am going to take a look at some of our buildings that have been demolished or given to a different use, that I think have changed the character of Hinckley.

Castle Hill House was the backdrop to the War Memorial above Argents Mead. William Hurst had it built in 1770 and lived there until his death. During 1807 George Canning, who was a future Prime Minister, lived there for a time. Canning called it a “fine handsome house”.

The Castle Hill house which has long since been knocked down. Pictued at the turn of the 19th century

Years later it was bought by our local Co-operative Society. Many people will remember going up a slope at the side of the Co-op in Castle Street and entering through a door to collect their Co-op dividend. They may not have realised it but they had entered Castle Hill House. Unfortunately the property was not listed and it was demolished in the early 1970s. In its place is a warehouse type of building, which spoils the view of the War Memorial.

Hill Street in the 1920s through to the 1960s was a most pleasant street. Photographs taken at the time, looking up from Mount Road, would make you want to live there. Of course we needed doctor’s surgeries and a Health Centre but perhaps with hindsight they could have been built elsewhere and this most attractive street and houses retained. There are still a small number of houses in the street, some built early in the 20th century, which give some of the previous character to the area.

Station Road between Lancaster Road and the Market Place has changed dramatically. It has unfortunately lost much of its character. The closure of our purpose built Post Office, built in 1902, was a great loss. The Billiard Hall, which was opposite, was built in 1915 and demolished in 1973.

This was a great attraction for many men of our town and district. The building in its place has its importance, what public toilet doesn’t and of course it has won many awards. Opposite St. Mary’s School was Parsons and Sherwin. In those days the building had a classic look. Since its closure as an ironmonger it has been divided into different units, but the original look of the building has altered beyond recognition.

Station Road and the post office in Hinckley at the turn of the 19th century

The Constitutional Club in Station Road was also a most imposing building also built in 1902. With the closure of the club the building has been altered and is now used by a number of businesses. Opposite what was the Council Offices in Station Road was a most popular shop. This was Hipwells. They sold furniture, prams and many other items. The length of the shop, including the upper storey went from Station Road to George Street. Fifty-seven years ago we bought our first child’s perambulator from Hipwells and no doubt over the years many Hinckley families must have done the same.

New Buildings is another road, in my opinion, that has lost its charm. The Palladium building, which was on the right side just as you entered from Upper Castle Street, had many uses. From Drill Hall, Theatre, Cinema, Roller Skating Rink and Lawrence’s Supermarket. Later it became an indoor market. Today apartments have been built on the site. The Methodist Chapel that stood on the corner of Stockwell Head and New Buildings was an imposing building. Now an office block stands in its place and does not have the majesty of the previous building. In New Buildings on the left hand side just passed where the Chapel used to be, there was for many years a most popular bakery. This was Whittles, No. 14, New Buildings. The thought of their bread and cakes can still make your mouth water!

The Borough in Hinckley in 1910

The Borough and Regent Street have changed not for the better. In my opinion the area does need opening up again for traffic and a pedestrian crossing again installed. Life has left what was once a busy thriving part of town. At one time in the Borough we had Pickering’s, G. Hall & Son, tailors and Liggins, confectioners. The Odeon cinema stood in the Borough for over fifty years, although it had had different names. Today at the side of the vacant building that replaced Pickering’s is the entrance to Hansom Court. Above this entrance there is a sign that says ‘The Hansom Cab was developed on this site during 1864’. To the best of my knowledge this is totally wrong. The Hansom Cab was developed and built in 1834/35 at premises in Regent Street; today the Edwards Centre stands on the site. I am happy with the shopping area called Hansom Court but the notice can confuse visitors to Hinckley.

Through The Borough into Regent Street were various shops such as butchers, shoe, cycle, ladies and gents clothes, fruit and vegetable and much more. The closing of the shops in the Regent Parade did not help the area considering the restaurant and public house that replaced them have also closed. Do you remember the A1 Candy Store, Henshaw’s d.i.y. The Countryside Library and of course Banners café on the corner of Regent Parade and Lancaster Road. On the opposite corner of Lancaster Road and Rugby Road was the Regent Theatre, which later became a Bingo Hall and is now closed and could possibly be demolished.

The Regent Theatre opened on Monday 11th March 1929 with a play ‘Ambrose Apple John’s Adventures’ by one our amateur groups. Three days later the first film was shown ‘The Student Prince’, believe it or not this was a silent film! It will be total disgrace if the building is demolished, it could be put to many different uses. I suppose our planners will go down the usual road – destroy and put in its place an eyesore.

I now come to Castle Street. Take a walk down the street and compare the older buildings with the newer ones built during the last fifty or so years. About 1852 a number of older building were demolished and new ones built. The buildings that were left were mainly late 18th century, in my opinion they and the then newly built 19th century houses and shops are almost timeless but the 20th century buildings do not blend in. A number of towns and cities have retained their 18th and 19th buildings but have modernised the shop part. This could have been done in Castle Street.

A general view from on high of Hinckley possibly in 1913

Years ago there were a number of grocery shops in Castle Street. Names that come to mind are George Mason and The Maypole Dairy Company.

Others that were popular close to were Simpkin and James in the Market Place and the Star Supply Store in The Borough today the Castle Restaurant. Supermarkets on the edge of town have now superseded High Street grocery shopping. Castle Street like many High Streets in various towns has gone through a difficult time but I now believe things are much better and its pleasing to see large crowds in the Street.

Another part of Hinckley I particularly remember was St.Peter’s Priory situated at the top of Wood Street and along Priory Walk. In my opinion this was a beautiful area. It included St. Peter’s Church and what became St. Albert’s Convent. I had the privilege of attending St. Peter’s Church a number of times, during the war years. Harry ‘Skip’ Stoneley took me on the cross bar of his bicycle from Stoke Golding where we lived. In those days the church organ had to be pumped and this is what Skip did on many occasions.

Today apartments stand on the site.

There are a number of other parts of our town I could write about but I think the above explains the view of someone who can remember Hinckley of up to seventy-four years ago. Of course people born in the area or came to live in the area fifty or so years ago will see Hinckley from a different perspective and in years to come they may also be concerned about what has happened to “their town”.